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Connect the PS5’s HDMI OUT port directly to an HDMI input on the TV, select that HDMI input, and leave the console’s resolution on Automatic while you test. If the screen says “No signal,” reseat or replace the cable, try another TV port, bypass every switch or soundbar, power-cycle both devices, and select a lower supported output mode if necessary.
What you need before connecting
This setup works when the older television has a functioning HDMI input. You need the PS5, the TV, an HDMI cable, and access to the TV remote so you can choose the correct input. Start with the simplest signal path: PS5 directly to TV. A receiver, soundbar, HDMI switch, splitter, or capture device can be added later, but each extra device introduces another possible handshake or compatibility failure.
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- PS5: Use the HDMI OUT socket on the rear of the console.
- Television: Use any input labeled HDMI, HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or a similar number.
- Cable: The HDMI 2.1 cable supplied with the PS5 is Sony’s recommended cable for the console’s high-performance features. An older HDMI cable may still work, especially for the lower-bandwidth output modes commonly accepted by older displays.
- Power: Connect both devices to mains power and make sure the TV is not in standby.
Inspect the TV’s HDMI socket for bent contacts, looseness, or visible damage. Do the same for both ends of the cable. A cable can appear plugged in while its connector is not fully seated, so a firm connection at both ends matters.
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- Turn off the TV and, if convenient, put the PS5 into Rest Mode or shut it down while you make the connection.
- Insert one end of the HDMI cable into the PS5’s HDMI OUT port. Do not use a USB port or the console’s network socket.
- Insert the other end into a numbered HDMI input on the TV. Note the number, such as HDMI 1 or HDMI 2.
- Turn on the TV, then press the remote’s Input, Source, or similarly labeled button.
- Select the exact HDMI input used in step 3. The PS5 cannot appear if the TV is displaying a different source, such as its tuner, an AV input, or another HDMI socket.
- Turn on the PS5 and wait for the startup image. On a first connection, the console may take a moment to negotiate a display mode with the TV.
PlayStation’s setup guidance describes the same basic arrangement: connect an HDMI-supported game console to the TV with an HDMI cable, turn on the television, and set its input to HDMI. Keep the first test direct; disconnect a soundbar, receiver, switch, splitter, or capture device until the TV shows a stable picture.
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Set a display mode the older TV can handle
Once the picture appears, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output on the PS5. Set Resolution to Automatic first. In this mode, the PS5 reads the display information supplied by the TV and selects the highest mode the TV reports that it supports. Automatic is the safest starting point when you do not know the television’s HDMI version or maximum resolution.
When Automatic gives you a blank screen
If the TV loses the picture after a manual resolution change, return to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output and choose Automatic or a lower mode listed as supported. Make the change while the PS5 is connected directly to the TV. An older television may accept HDMI but reject a mode that exceeds its documented resolution or refresh capability.
Why HDMI 2.1 is not required for basic operation
The supplied HDMI 2.1 cable is useful for the PS5’s higher-bandwidth features, but HDMI 2.1 is not a prerequisite for a basic picture on an older HDMI television. Sony’s support guidance notes that older HDMI cables can also be used. The usable output is limited by the combination of the cable, the PS5 setting, the TV’s HDMI implementation, and any device placed between them.
Choose the right HDMI cable
Use the included cable if you have it and it is undamaged. If it is missing or faulty, an Ultra-High-Speed HDMI Cable rated for HDMI 2.1 is the appropriate replacement when you want the cable’s full bandwidth capability. For a television that only accepts older, lower-bandwidth modes, a properly working older HDMI cable can be sufficient; buying an HDMI 2.1 cable alone cannot make that TV display features it does not support.
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| Cable option | What it is suited to | What it cannot change |
|---|---|---|
| Included HDMI 2.1 cable | Recommended by Sony for the PS5’s high-performance features; the best first choice when available. | It cannot raise the older TV’s maximum resolution, refresh rate, or HDMI capability. |
| Ultra-High-Speed HDMI replacement | A replacement or upgrade when the original is missing, damaged, or when you need the cable’s higher-bandwidth rating. | It does not repair a damaged TV port or guarantee compatibility through a receiver, switch, or converter. |
| Older working HDMI cable | May work for the output modes the older TV and cable can carry. | It may not carry every high-bandwidth PS5 feature; intermittent video can indicate a cable-quality or bandwidth problem. |
When comparing cables, check the speed rating, the resolution and refresh rate you actually need, the length, and build quality. Keep the cable as short as practical for your installation, avoid sharply bending the connector ends, and replace a cable that produces intermittent picture or sound. A higher rating is useful headroom, not a guarantee that every connected device will support the same mode.
Fix a “No signal” message
Work through these checks in order. Change one variable at a time so you know which step restores the picture.
1. Confirm the selected TV input
Read the label beside the socket and select that exact HDMI number with the TV remote. If the cable is in HDMI 2 but the TV is on HDMI 1, the screen can correctly report no signal even though the PS5 is operating normally. Try each HDMI input if the socket labels are unclear.
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Turn off the TV, unplug the HDMI cable from the PS5 and the TV, then reconnect both ends firmly. Check that the plug is fully inserted and not hanging at an angle. A secure connection at both devices is essential; PlayStation Support specifically advises checking this connection when troubleshooting picture and sound.
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3. Test another cable
Use a known-good HDMI cable if you have one. A cable can fail internally while its outer jacket looks normal. If a replacement works immediately, keep the original out of the setup. For a missing or damaged original, an Ultra-High-Speed HDMI Cable is a suitable replacement, although HDMI 2.1 is not required merely to obtain basic video on an older TV.
4. Test another TV HDMI port
Move the cable to a different HDMI input and select that new input on the TV. One port may be damaged, disabled, or unable to negotiate the required signal while another works. Record which port succeeds so future troubleshooting starts from a known-good connection.
5. Bypass every intermediary device
Disconnect receivers, soundbars, HDMI switches, splitters, capture devices, and wall-plate extenders. Connect PS5 HDMI OUT straight to the TV. PlayStation identifies intermediary equipment as a possible cause of picture problems because each device must pass the video signal and complete the HDMI handshake. Reintroduce one device at a time only after the direct connection is stable.
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- Turn off the PS5 and TV completely rather than leaving either in standby.
- Disconnect both power cables.
- Wait, then reconnect the power cables.
- Turn on the TV, select the correct HDMI input, and start the PS5.
This clears a stalled HDMI negotiation. If the picture returns after the power cycle but disappears again when another device is inserted, that intermediary or its configuration is the next item to investigate.
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7. Check the TV’s firmware and documentation
Look for a firmware update in the TV’s settings and consult its manual for options related to high-resolution HDMI signals. Older sets may require a particular HDMI mode, enhanced-input toggle, or compatibility setting before accepting a newer source. The exact label varies by manufacturer, so use the TV’s own documentation rather than assuming every model exposes the same option.
8. Select a lower PS5 output
If the TV displays the startup screen but goes blank after the system loads, the selected output mode may exceed what the TV reports or can actually display. Open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output, choose Automatic, and, if necessary, select a lower supported resolution. Make the adjustment with the direct PS5-to-TV connection and then test again.
Restore sound when video works
A picture with no audio usually points to a mute setting, an output selection, a cable, or an intermediary device rather than a failure of the PS5’s video connection.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match- Confirm that the TV volume is raised and that neither the TV nor the PS5 is muted.
- If an audio device is connected, check that it is powered on, set to the correct input, and not muted.
- In the PS5 sound settings, select an HDMI device as the audio output.
- Test another HDMI cable. The same cable carries both picture and sound, so a damaged cable can cause an audio-only failure.
- Reconnect the PS5 directly to the TV to determine whether a receiver or soundbar is interrupting the audio path.
After direct TV audio works, reconnect the soundbar or receiver and select the corresponding TV and audio-device inputs. If sound disappears only after that change, troubleshoot the intermediary’s input selection and HDMI compatibility rather than changing several PS5 settings at once.
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Compare the available connection paths
| Connection path | Reliability while diagnosing | Use it when | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 directly to TV | Highest; only the console, cable, and TV must negotiate. | You are making the first connection or isolating a no-signal fault. | The TV must provide the audio output you want, or you must add audio separately later. |
| PS5 to receiver or soundbar, then TV | Lower during diagnosis because an additional HDMI handshake is involved. | You need the receiver or soundbar to route video and audio after direct video is confirmed. | The intermediary may not pass the selected resolution or may be on the wrong input. |
| PS5 through an HDMI switch or splitter | Variable; every active port and the switch must pass the signal. | You have multiple sources or displays and the equipment is known to support the required mode. | A failed switch, incorrect selection, or incompatible signal path can create a no-signal screen. |
| PS5 through a capture device | Variable and unsuitable as a first test. | You are intentionally recording or streaming after confirming a direct display connection. | The capture device can introduce handshake, HDCP, or bandwidth limitations. |
The direct path is the diagnostic baseline. If it works but a routed path fails, the PS5 and TV are not the first suspects; inspect the added device, its firmware, input selection, and supported signal modes.
What if the TV has no HDMI input?
The official setup guidance described here covers televisions with HDMI inputs. A TV that offers only composite, component, or RF inputs requires an active converter, and the result cannot be assumed from the HDMI instructions alone.
Before buying or connecting a converter, verify all of the following with the converter and TV manufacturers:
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- The converter accepts the PS5’s HDMI source and supports the output format required by the older TV.
- Its supported resolution and refresh range include a mode the TV can display.
- It handles the PS5’s HDCP requirements; a simple passive cable or plug adapter is not automatically equivalent to an active converter.
- Audio has a documented path, whether it is embedded in the converted signal or extracted separately.
- The exact TV model is listed as compatible, including regional or model-specific limitations.
If the converter fails, return to the direct HDMI troubleshooting sequence where possible, test the converter with the manufacturer’s recommended settings, and confirm that the TV is on the correct non-HDMI input. Do not treat a converter as a guaranteed solution for every pre-HDMI television.
A quick diagnostic checklist
- Is the cable in PS5 HDMI OUT and a TV HDMI input?
- Is the TV on the numbered HDMI input that contains the cable?
- Did you test another HDMI cable and another TV HDMI port?
- Did you remove the receiver, soundbar, switch, splitter, or capture device?
- Did you fully power-cycle the TV and PS5?
- Is PS5 Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Resolution set to Automatic or a mode the TV supports?
- Is the TV firmware current, and does its manual specify an HDMI setting for higher-resolution signals?
- For missing sound, are both devices unmuted and is the PS5 audio output set to an HDMI device?
PlayStation Support summarizes the essential physical check this way: “Make sure you have a secure connection to both your PS5 console and the screen using the included HDMI cable.” Treat that secure, direct connection as the reference point before changing more complex equipment or settings.
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